This report details the decision for the procurement of new network infrastructure, replacing equipment that is now either end of life or close to end of life, thus not receiving the necessary security patches and updates. The network replacement is therefore critical for cyber security reasons. The procurement includes hardware replacement plus design, configuration and implementation works which will be carried out by Intergence Systems Limited.

Officer decision for the procurement of replacement network infrastructure, and for the design, configuration and implementation works to be carried out by Intergence Systems Limited.
The total costing of the solution including new infrastructure for the estate and installation, setup, configuration, testing, High-Level and Low-Level Designs, test plans and results is £234,000. In this regard the reader should note that the £233,337 replacement costs comprises;
1)£182,000,replacement hardware costs (*)
2)£52,000 Intergence Systems Ltd network re-design and implementation/ installation costs.
In accordance with Council’s Budget and Policy framework this procurement will be a direct award via the G-Cloud 14 framework LOT 3. Cabinet previously approved the budget for IT network renewal costs report A.2 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT 2024/25 – GENERAL UPDATE at the end of July 2024 refers.

1)Doing nothing is not an option.
2)A tender process would be very resource intensive and in this instance is highly likely to;
a) Increase costs even if the incumbent contractor is successful.
b) Result in a period of considerably reduced support performance with a new provider ‘getting up to speed.
c) Expose the council to an unnecessary period of business continuity and cybersecurity risk.
The reader should be aware that the re-design and installation and support of our corporate ICT network is effectively giving the chosen contractor “the keys to the kingdom” in respect to unfettered access to our cyber-security and council-wide data storage/ data flows. Consequently, the importance of proven cyber-security and information governance and assurance expertise and a trust-based contractor relationship cannot be over-stated.